Pittsburgh Restaurant Group Launches Major Suicide Prevention Initiative

PITTSBURGH, PA — After successfully talking down a man threatening to jump off of Pittsburgh's 40th Street Bridge last month, city restaurateur and real estate broker Herky Pollock is aiming to do more for suicide prevention efforts across the region.

Pollock's company, Legacy Hospitality Partners, is launching an awareness and fundraising campaign in all of the group’s restaurants in September for Suicide Prevention Month to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) of Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

During September, Legacy Hospitality Partners’ family of restaurants – Ritual House, Palm Palm, SugarBird, Shorty’s, and The Common Good – will donate a percentage of sales from the entire month to AFSP.

The AFSP fundraising initiative will begin at all Legacy Hospitality Partners’ concepts on September 8th, which is 988 Day. 988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the importance of suicide prevention and mental health.

AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss.

“Pittsburgh has given me the opportunity to build businesses, create places and bring people together for more than 40 years. But building a great city is about more than buildings and restaurants. It’s about people, and it’s about being there when someone needs you,” said Pollock, the CEO of Legacy Hospitality Partners as well as Legacy Realty Partners.

“What happened to me in August made that very real. We have a daughter and a grandson named after two family members who died by suicide so this is very personal to our family. But what has moved me just as much has been the incredible outpouring of response from our community, particularly from suicide survivors, people who have lost loved ones, including members of AFSP and those who have shared their own deeply personal stories with me.

"If we have the ability to use our businesses, our voice and our platform to help someone, anyone, and give them hope or even save one life, then we have a responsibility to do it. Pittsburgh has always been a city that takes care of its own. That’s what community means to me, and that’s the kind of legacy I want us to build here.”

Doug Bishop, board chair of the AFSP, said his organization was "profoundly grateful" to partner with Pollock and Legacy Hospitality Partners during such a critical time of the year as Suicide Prevention Month.

"This meaningful initiative of remembrance, hope, and support by Legacy Hospitality Partners unites Pittsburgh and the surrounding community to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and suicide," Bishop said. "Funds raised directly support AFSP's mission to fund groundbreaking research, deliver educational programs, advocate for public policy, and provide critical resources for survivors of suicide loss.”